Steering-wheel lock



- L. BONCA.

STEERING WHEEL LOCK. APPLICATION FILED MMLZS. 1922.

1,429,696; PatentedSept. 19, 1922.,

Patented Sept. 19, 1922.

NETE 'TTES- LOUIS RONGA, or JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

STEERING-WHEEL LOCK.

Application filed March 25, 1922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Loors RoNoA, a res1- dent of Jersey City, Hudson County, State of New Jersey, and a subject of the King of Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering-WVheel Locks, of Which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in locking devices for the steering wheels of motor vehicles. One of the objects of my invention is to provide a locking mechanism to engage the spokes of a steering wheel operable by the combination method, that is to say, my improved lock does not need a key to lock and unlock same, but is provided with means to lock and unlock the mechanism when manipulated in accordance with a number of selected numerals. One of the advantages of my improved lock is that it can be fitted to a steering post housing when the wheel is removed from the steering post without the necessity of cutting the housing or in any way changing the steering mechanism.

I will now proceed to describe my invention in detail, the novel features of which I will point out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is a sectional view, partly in elevation. illustrating my improved look as ap plied to a steering post;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view, the sec tion being taken on a line 2--2 in Fig. 1, the tumbler-disks being omitted;

Fig. 3 is a detail view, in elevation, of the fixed sleeve which forms part of the lock;

Fig. 41 .is a sectional View, on line 4l4 Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, the spacing collar being omitted;

Fig. 5 is a view looking from the top in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the spacing collars looking from the top;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary edge view of one of the tumbler disks;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the lowermost collar of the lock assembly; and

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 5, illustrating the indicated tumbler disk, as located in looking position.

My improved lock is comprised of a sleeve 10, which, when in use, is attached to the steering post housing 11 of a steering mechanism; a slidable sleeve 12 mounted upon Serial No. 546,550.

fixed sleeve 10; a plurality of tumbler disks 1?), 1 1 and 15; spacing collars 16 and 17; a locking dog 18 and a retaining collar 19 threaded on to the lower end of slidable sleeve. 12. The fixed sleeve 10 carries a key 10 having spaced apart recesses or slots 20, 21 and 22 for the passage of teeth 23 carried by' the disks 13, 1d and 15 which are spaced apart. .Each disk 13, 14 and 15 is slotted as 3.1124101 the passage of key 10", and each collar '16, 17 and 19 is slotted as at 25 for the same reason. Each collar 16, 17

and 19, in its upper surface, is provided with an annular channel 26 to receive the teeth 23 carried by the tumbler disk. The under surface of dog 18 and collars 16 and 17 is provided with an annular channel 27 to receive a block 28 carried by each tumbler disk. In. this instance, each disk carries twelve teeth producing eleven spaces 29. Each disk is provided with twelve openings 30 to receive a pin 31 carried by block 28. In other words, block 28 can be moved to any opening 30 whereby the combination can be changed at will. To aline the slot 24 in any tumbler-disks, step by step movements are required, the number of steps being dependent upon the position of the block 28 relative to the slots 24 in the disk moved. The step by step movements are detected by means of a spring 32 carried by each collar 16, 17 and 19 which'contacts with'the teeth 23, or more properly speaking, which enters the spaces 29 betweenthe teeth. When a tumbler is moved, the spring 31 adjacent thereto will spring into the spaces between the teeth, causing a slight click which can be felt by the manipulator ot' the disk. The lowermost collar 19 maintains the disks 13, 14, and 15 and spacing collars 16 and 17 assembled. When the mechanism is in locked position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the lower end of key 10 will engage slot 25 in retaining collar 19; hence. said collar cannot be removed from slidable sleeve 12. When the mechanism is in unlocked position, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1, collar 19 can hes-removed for the purpose of changing the combination of the lock mechanism. When the mechanism is in locked position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the lugs 18 on dog l8 will engage the spokes 32 of the whee-l carried by the steering post 33. In other words, the lugs 18 will be positioned between the spokes of the wheel. When the lock is in unlocked position, the lugs 18 32. To move the sleeve 12 longitudinally of the housing 11, slots 24 in the disks must be alined with key .10, as indicated in Figs. e and 5. Should the device be locked, in which event slots 2 1 will be positioned away from key 10, and I desire to unlock same,

I move each disk 13, 1 1 and 15 anti-clock wise until blocks 28 strike key 10", as inclicated in Fig. 9. As the operator will know how many spaces the block carried by each disk is spaced away from the slot 2% therein, he will merely move each disk a number of steps equalto the number of spaces between the blocks and slots 24, the movement being clock-wise. the steps. After each slot 24. has been alined with key 10, the sleeve 12 can be moved to draw lugs 18 away from spokes 32. During the rotatory movement of disks 13, 1d and 15, teeth 23 will pass through slots 20, 21 and 22 in key 10, that is to say, when the device is in locked position. When the device is in unlocked position, the slot 24.

I will, of course, engage the key at the unslotted portion. The combination can be changed at any time by merely changing the position of blocks 28 relative to the slots 24. When the device is in locked position,

the unslotted portion of each disk will en.- t gage its-adjacent slot in key 10, thereby preventing the sleeve 12 from being moved; hence, said sleeve cannot be moved until slots 24; are alined with key 10, which re quires knowledge of the combination.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a steering wheel look, a carrier arranged for securement to the housing of a steering post carrying a. wheel, a key carried by-thecarrier having slots therein, a

sleeveslidable longitudinally of the carrier,

and disks rotatably mounted on the sleeve arranged to engage the slots in said key, each disk having a slot for the passage of the key,

The springs 32 will click o fi';

teeth carried by each disk, a spring adjacent each disk to engage said teeth to cause clicks when the disks are rotated, and a stop carried by each disk to contact with .the key, said stops being located in different positions relative to the slots in the disks and arranged to contact with said key in order that a starting point for the movement of the disks to carry out the combination will. be provided.

2. In a steering wheel look, a carrier arranged forxsecurement to the housing *ofa steering post carrying a'wheel, akey carried by the carrier hav ng slots therein, a sleeve slidable longitudinally of-the carrier, disks rotatably mounted on the sleeve arranged toengage the: slots in said key, each disk having a slotfor the passageof the key, teeth starting point for the movement of the disks to carry out the combination will be provided,

said stops being'adjustably mounted on their respective disks in order that the combination can be changed. 1 I

3. Ina steerlng'wheellock, a carrier arranged for securement to thehousing of a steering post carrying a wheel, akey carried by the carrier having slotstherein a sleeve .slidablelongitudinally of the carrier, disks.

rotatably mounted on the sleeve arranged to engage theslots in said key, each disk having a slot for the passage of the key, teeth'carried by each disk, a spring adjacent each disk to engage said teeth to cause clicks when the disks are rotated, a stop carried by-each disk .to contact with the key, said stops being located in different positions relative 't0 the slots in the disks and arranged to contact 'with said key in orderthat a starting point for themoveinent of the disks to carry out the combination willbe provided, and means carried'by the,sl'idable sleeve to engage fthe spokesofa steering wheel.

-- LOUISRONGA, 

